INTERESTING
A few weeks ago the field of Occupational Therapy celebrated its 100th birthday! In order to honor my profession, I’d like to give a brief history of how OT first began, including how the name occupational therapy came to be.
Occupational therapy was officially recognized on March 15, 1917 when a group of 6 practitioners met in Clifton Springs, NY and established The National Society for Promotion of OT. This society is now referred to as the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
AOTA defines occupational therapy as “the only profession that helps people across the lifespan do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities or occupations”. Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to the fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent- or live better with- injury, illness, or disability.
The name occupational therapy was chosen due to the value placed on “occupation” or everyday tasks and activities a person wants, needs, and values participation in. One of the founding fathers, William Rush Dunton, developed 9 principles that he believed to be essential to occupational therapy. These principles are an integral part of our foundational training during OT school. They shape the way OT practitioners develop their treatment plans with their patients. They include:
1. The work should be carried on with cure as the main objective
2. The work should be interesting
3. The patient should be carefully studied
4. One form of occupation should not be performed to the point of fatigue
5. It should have a useful end
6. It should lead to an increase in the patient’s knowledge
7. It should be carried on with others
8. Encouragement should be given genuinely whenever indicated
9. Work is preferred over idleness, even if the end product is poor or useless
Occupational therapy first began during the moral treatment era, a time in which a humanitarian approach to treat mental illness started. Treatment focused on engaging mentally ill patients in productive and creative activities. These activities helped them in their recovery and promoted participation in typical daily routines. Less of a focus was now placed on rest as a cure.
The arts and crafts movement during the early 20th century further developed the profession of occupational therapy as value was placed on traditional craftsmanship. Factory production was also on the rise at this time. During WWII, women started working more and OT services extended into the area of physical rehabilitation. Arts and crafts were highly used in the care of wounded soldiers to help them with their mental and physical recovery. The army first hired OTs at Walter Reed hospital in 1918. This helped establish occupational therapy’s role in an orthopedic setting.
Today, Occupational Therapists work in many different settings and with people of all ages. Everywhere from a neonatal ICU, a school classroom, outpatient clinic, acute hospital, rehabilitation facility, home care setting, and mental health hospitals. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities fully integrate into their classroom and social situations, helping people recovering from injuries regain skills needed to engage in a meaningful life and providing support to older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
Every year OT month is celebrated during the month of April. As the month approaches, we as OT practitioners are encouraged to honor not only our fellow colleagues, but all the patients and clients we’re privileged to serve. I’d like to personally wish everyone a happy and healthy OT month 2017!
For additional information about the profession of Occupational Therapy:
• www.otcentennial.org
• www.aota.org
